If you're looking for posts on this blog, I'm sorry to say as of October 2 there aren't anymore. Due to glitches in connectivity between blogger and other social media, I've had to move blogs. You can now find out about me, my books and other stuff, including lots of guest posts, at https://caseymscorner.wordpress.com Thanks!

Attention!

Thanks for visiting!* When you see the * in my posts that just indicates a new line/paragraph. :)* To see a lot of fun information, scroll through the side bars and to the bottom of the blog.

30 December 2015

* Gerhard Gehrke studied ﬁlm at San Francisco State University. He wrote and produced several shows for community television. His Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror short stories have appeared in several publications, including an Editor’s Choice-winning short story at AnotheRealm.com. A Beginner’s Guide to Invading Earth is his ﬁrst novel. * You can connect with him at Gerhardgehrke.com.

Today Gerhard Gehrke will be talking about what sparked the idea for the story/series.* A Beginner's Guide to Invading Earth began in my work truck's notebook with the line “No one likes them very much.” That line was to be the conclusion reached by aliens intent on first contact who landed the USA and decided to try other parts of the planet after some unfortunate experiences. This developed into the aliens wanting nothing to do with the entire planet and them hanging a virtual “Do Not Disturb Occupants” sign on our doorknob. As I fleshed this out over a few months I decided a smaller story that focused on one man's experience as a scapegoat for an alien conspiracy that was trying to make first contact fail just felt better. By then I had a rough idea on where I wanted the project to go, and the aliens would have to be part of it. * This left me with a few science fiction tropes I wanted to explore and have fun with. One deals with how so often communication among different aliens and between aliens and humans happens automatically. When I considered the possibilities for mistakes when such translation work relies on less-than -perfect technology, I knew this could be an element in spelling doom for aspiring alien diplomats. * What further fueled the story is my background. I was weened on a heavy diet of comic books and cheesy science fiction and monster movies. As reading books came into the picture I started writing my own stories in a notebook for no one else to read but me. This blossomed during grade school into making Pac-Man comic books, which included a heavy dose of vampires and Shogun Warriors to please my fellow collaborators. Getting involved in local community television and studying film at San Francisco State University introduced me to actually finding an audience for things put down on paper, even though most of what we worked on was non-narrative in structure. Writing fiction continued from all of this.

A look into...

~ Blurb ~

* What would you do if you found a dead alien on a lonely highway? * Was it an accident, sabotage, or murder? And why is everyone blaming Jeff? * The extraterrestrials aren’t waiting for answers. They want revenge. And Jeff isn’t ready for company. * His only hope is an outcast mechanic from another world and a woman who might do anything to get off planet, including selling out her own kind. Jeff has to get to the bottom of why there are so many alien bodies piling up and who is really responsible. * A science ﬁction adventure novel, A Beginner’s Guide to Invading Earth tells the story of a reclusive ex-computer programmer who is the unwitting central ﬁgure of a plot to keep humanity from ever making ﬁrst contact.

~ Excerpt ~

* Jeff fought to breathe as he spun about in Whistleʹ s tightening grasp. He saw the Grey standing calmly by, an odd smile on its tiny, noseless face. It was transfixed by the action and violence. As Whistleʹ s swathe through the ranks of the Clyptus grew, the Grey tittered. * “Hi,” Jordan said to the Grey. * It hadn’t seen her approach. It was too focused on the brawl. Jordan punched the short alien. The Greyʹ s head snapped back, and its big eyes fluttered. The Grey crumpled, its weapon flying out of its hand. Before it lost consciousness, it released the scent of rotten eggs. * “And here I thought you liked me,” Jordan said. * Meanwhile, Oliop jumped on Whistle and latched onto her head with arms and legs and tail, blinding her. She grabbed at him. When she did, the remaining Clyptus struck at her. They moved over their stomped, battered, and torn companions and stabbed away at the rocky creature. Their darts and stickers poked uselessly at her hardened exterior. Some shot her with their energy weapons, but the yellow beams did nothing. All the while, Jeff wrestled and clawed at Whistleʹ s thick arm, but he couldʹ t break free.

Thank you for joining us here today, Gerhard Gehrke! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your story.

ANNOUNCEMENT! Gerhard Gehrke will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour! So be sure to leave a comment AND use the Rafflecopter below. Also, visit the other tour stops for a greater chance of winning!

the lighter side...

C.R. Moss

An eccentric and eclectic writer, C.R. Moss pens stories for the mainstream and erotic romance markets, giving readers a choice of sweet, savory or spicy reads, usually within a sub-genre or two -- paranormal, sci-fi/fantasy, time travel, or western flare. Find out more about C.R. Moss at the information & links below.

most recent release...

SPICY - Contemporary Romance/Wiccan - click pic for info

most recent review...

A Wish Across Time

Love Bites and Silk Ties - "Oh boy, how I loved this story. For me it has to be the best story in the entire series."Can you remember when you were a teenager and in love but had your heart broken. Imagine meeting that boy again. Except he isn't a boy. He now a hunk of a man and he claims he is a changed man. Would you allow him into your life a second time? Would you open your heart and trust him again?"This is basically Cassandra's story. I loved Cassandra in the previous books and I'm glad she finally got her own story and what a whopper of a story to end on. This story is full of angst which I love but it also sizzled from start to finish. I couldn't put it down. Love, loved it."

the darker side...

Casey Moss

Casey’s passion lies in darker fiction. Her stories fall into the horror and urban fantasy genres, sometimes with the blending of paranormal, suspense, thriller, romantic elements and/or eroticism. And if she’s done her job right, all the stories should set you on edge, leave you craving and wanting more of the dark. What waits around the corner? Come explore… Find out more below.

most recent release...

Erotic Urban Fantasy - click pic for info

most recent review...

Open World - C.O.V.E.N.

Open World for me felt dark and desolate, which is perfectly fine as it's an urban fantasy book. This is the first time in a while that I am really at a loss as to where to start with a review. Open World reads like a darkly erotic version of Tron with a rough edge. I have not read anything like this before and I am not so sure that this is my cup of tea. That's not to say that I did not appreciate what the book is, it's a unique, complex, and interesting read. If you are into coding or gaming with the added bonus of being set in a world ravaged by war and chaos then this fantasy book will definitely make sense to you. It is well written and the story, although different from what I normally read, did keep me turning the pages. If you are feeling courageous and want a unique read Open World will definitely take you on an adventurous ride. Just be warned that the sex scenes are graphic and rough and there are scenes that some may find disturbing. ~ Monica at http://www.monlatablereviews.com/2014/06/open-world-coven-by-casey-moss-book-tour.html